Long Range Desert Group
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The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was a reconnaissance and raiding unit of the British Army during the Second World War.
'Y' and 'R' Patrol Chevrolets meet in the desert, mid-1942. Note the amount of equipment carried on the nearest 'R' Patrol trucks
'R' Patrol Chevrolet WB radio truck; the rod antenna can be seen on the right. The man at the rear is manning a Boys anti-tank rifle
A 'T1' Patrol Chevrolet 1533X2 30 cwt: the small drum behind the front mudguard is the radiator condenser, and the truck's sand channels are mounted on brackets on the rear bodywork. The weapons are the Lewis gun (left) and a .303 Browning Mk II (right)
LRDG Headquarters Section (note markings on "Louise") of Chevrolet 30 cwt. The first two vehicles are armed with Vickers guns, and have canvas sand mats rolled up and stored on the front wheel arches.
British Army during the Second World War
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At the start of 1939, the British Army was, as it traditionally always had been, a small volunteer professional army. At the beginning of the Second World War on 1 September 1939, the British Army was small in comparison with those of its enemies, as it had been at the beginning of the First World War in 1914. It also quickly became evident that the initial structure and manpower of the British Army was woefully unprepared and ill-equipped for a war with multiple enemies on multiple fronts. During the early war years, mainly from 1940 to 1942, the British Army suffered defeat in almost every theatre of war in which it was deployed. But, from late 1942 onwards, starting with the Second Battle of El Alamein, the British Army's fortunes changed and it rarely suffered another defeat.
Left to right Bernard Montgomery, Archibald Wavell and Claude Auchinleck who all rose to prominence during the war, pictured here in June 1946.
Valentine tank in the desert, carrying an infantry section.
25-pounders firing in support of the Guards Armoured Division September 1944
Special Air Service North Africa 1943